The day of the Pearl Harbor attack, what FDR memorably called 'the day that will live in infamy,' struck a nerve with a generation of patriotic Americans and motivated them to serve. In this episode, we hear from two Minnesota GI's who signed up at recruiting stations in the aftermath of the surprise attack. There's also the eyewitness account of a third Minnesota veteran who was there, aboard ship at the time the swarm of Japanese planes took aim at the US fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor.
This episode features Minnesota veterans Bill Olson, Herbert Gager and George Vandersluis.
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RECENT STORIES
DeCoded: Native Veterans in Minnesota who Helped Win World War II
Wes Moreland’s carrier was in the Mediterranean when the weather turned bad. They were hundreds of miles at sea, and the pilots were unable to land and running out of gas. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
Wes Moreland was a plane captain aboard the USS Tarawa. The first question his pilot would ask before a flight was, “Is it full of gas?” Here’s Britt Aamodt.
Wayne Stillman enlisted in 1956. Born and raised in Rochester, he ended up back in his hometown at a new Military Police (MP) unit. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
Richard Krom’s great-grandfather marched hundreds of miles to Gettysburg, only to find himself, in company with the First Minnesota, immediately plunged into battle. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
